Kate

Wow.

Raymond Meier

I was cutting up my British Vogue from January when I came across this Raymond Meier shoot. I really love how he photographs the shoes so creatively, from such different angles-more like a still life than an accessories shoot. One or two of these will definitely end up on my wall in the near future.

Shoe Delights

These shoes really brightened up my horrible day of revision. I wouldn't be able to pick between them-all four colours are amazing. It slightly grates on my OCD-ish tendencies that the black shoe was photographed at a different angle from the rest-but then it's the odd one out (different heel, did you notice?) and we all know the odd ones out are special.

Passion Frill Sandal-Topshop-£95

Hell Warmed Up

I. HATE. REVISION. I spent 7 HOURS revising German this afternoon, with only one or two breaks. I mean, seriously. How did I even do that?! And the worst thing is, I'm totally behind and am going to run out of time. On Monday I have a maths mock (because I'm in the top set I'm doing my maths GCSE early in November, so this summer's exam counts as our mock) and I haven't even started maths. I think I feel a few all-nighters heading my way...

Anyway, that's my excuse for why my blogs have been so few and far between recently. I'm catching up on The Hills in my (very limited) free time. Well, not quite catching up as watching it from start to finish. I'm at the beginning of season 4 at the moment. Is it really bad that I want to be Lauren so much I could kill her? The worst thing is that, unlike Gossip Girl (aka my life's passion) The Hills is a reality TV show...so that's not depressing or anything!

I can't believe it's Wednesday already. This has been the quickest half term ever. I'm not even remotely rested and I only have 2 more proper sleep-ins left because of rowing on the weekend! Aaaagh, panic!!!

Pearl Harbour

What a film. Gorgeous men, gorgeous clothes, GORGEOUS make-up...and of course a well-told story too. Yet another name to add to the 'Films That Made Me Cry' list.

Anticipation

It's exactly a week till my birthday-and actually I'm not that excited. It's a combination of the week of revision/forthcoming exams which are at the moment completely occupying my mind, and also the sad fact that the older you get the less exciting these landmarks in the year become. I remember when the whole of May would be tinged with excitement about my upcoming birthday; when my feverish anticipation of Christmas would grow throughout December until, on Christmas Eve, I would barely be able to get to sleep. Now, however, I can't even work up enough enthusiasm to think about a party, despite my mum's eager hints to help me organise something.

One good thing, however, is that I'm pretty sure I'll be getting a camera-finally! After so many months without one I'm starting to get desperate. It was the only big thing I asked for, and I found a Jessop's camera catalogue lying around the other day, so I wouldn't be surprised...Hopefully in a week I'll be able to post all the things I've been holding on to for ages, unable to put up because of my LACK OF A CAMERA!

Peacock Pleasures

Peacocks have always been a synonym for extravagance. Quite right then that they should end up on the clothes on some of fashion's biggest designers. A more elegant way to dress I can't imagine-although it must make sitting down rather tricky...

Giambattista Valli Fall RTW 2009

Valentino Extravagance bag

Success

I don't think I've explained how much rowing is a part of my life. A five-times-a-week, makes-me-get-home-at-8pm, more-tear-provoking-than-anything-else part of my life. This summer will be the end of my fourth year rowing at my club on the Thames (or, as all rowers call it, the Tideway) and it's amazing how far I've come from the midday beginners' group on Sundays. My fellow team mates and I routinely train through blood, sweat and tears-quite literally-in order to be the best we can be. There are times when, coming home after a particularly hard session, I cry my eyes out due to exhaustion and a sense of not having performed to my best, and wonder why I put myself through it; there are times when, caught in a hailstorm on a river with waves that would put the English Channel to shame and a headwind howling at my back, I want to throw my oars away and say, "ENOUGH already!" But through every midwinter ergo, every endless outing, every session that makes me feel life really isn't worth living, I didn't give up. And yesterday, at the National Schools in Nottingham, we were rewarded for that tenacity and determination to succeed.

Perhaps there are some crews out there who wouldn't be satisfied with a bronze. After all, that's two boats who rowed faster than us, two crews we didn't beat. But I know that all four of us who raced felt like we won on that rowing lake. We rowed to the best of our ability; we justified those months of training; we made our coach, who puts so much time and effort and trust into us, proud. The medal round my neck somehow didn't seem quite real-it didn't really sink in that all those hours of pain had culminated in this, that this was what we had trained for.

If I'm honest, it still hasn't.

Alasdair McLellan

Alasdair McLellan had a shoot in British Vogue this month, and I was immediately struck by his pictures and began searching the internet to find more of his work. What's so lovely about all his photos is that he uses contrasting light and shadow in really interesting ways, such as in the leaf photo below; he doesn't just use the models as clothes horses, but really lets their individuality and character shine through; and somehow, maybe using a combination of both these techniques, he manages to create an atmosphere that makes you feel as if you're there in the picture too. Plus he has done lots of shoot with Lara Stone, a model I've loved since I first saw her in Vogue a few years ago. But more on her later.

Rubik's Cube

How cool are these salt/pepper shakers?! I dream constantly of the day when I have my own flat/house and can decorate it in my own amazing way (dream is definitely the right phrase-no doubt I'll just end up sticking a few paintings on the walls and calling it a day, but it's nice to imagine!). These funky shakers would definitely have a place on my table.


Looking at other people's houses is always a source of inspiration/unspeakable lust for me. As well as the Home sections of the Sunday newspaper supplements, I also LOVE designspongeonline.com. As well as posting fun new projects from small design companies, they have before/afters that their readers send in (ranging from chairs and lamps to whole houses) and 'sneak peeks' of homes of people involved in design. I'm telling you, some of those houses are AMAZING. They're all so original-every time there's something that makes me go, "Now why didn't I think of that before?!" Rather like these Rubik's Cubes, really.